Miami Dolphins Stock Report: Training Camp (week 1)

August 9, 2009|Posted by Omar Kelly on August 9, 2009 03:10 PM

Don't call it a comeback, the Miami Dolphins stock report has been here for years. And there's no better time for a status report on the team's hot, and not players than after the first week of training camp.

The players might have had Sunday off, but the the coaches didn't. At some point Sunday the staff likely sat at a roundtable throwing ideas against the wall hoping to find ways to improve the squad.

How can they push Phillip Merling to get more out of him? Is Donald Thomas ready for a full contact practice? Does rookie receivers Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline know enough of the offense to move up the depth chart, or learn more receiver spots? Is Brandon Frye better at guard or tackle? Should they try Randy Starks on the right side or leave him in his present role?

It was this point last training camp that Matt Roth was moved to strong side linebacker, and Donald Thomas was elevated to the starting spot, which he eventually secured by dominating that week of practice. That's why this week is my favorite week of training camp.

Expect Tony Sparano to shuffle the deck again at the beginning of week two, changing the depth chart to see who responds to the challenge, and who buckles. Don't be surprised if rookie cornerback Sean Smith isn't elevated to the starting spot.

It's not that veteran cornerback Eric Green is playing badly. He's doing O.K. But Smith's gobbled up everything thrown his way, and the second-round pick's combination of elite size, speed, and ball skills hints that he might have something special that would reap a great reward with a sizeable initial investment.

Wondering who else I'd put my money on? That's where the stock report comes in. Please be aware that this report is based on my expectation level for each individual player based on what my eyes have seen, and ears have heard. It's all about who is exceeding expectations, and who isn't meeting it. Doesn't mean anyone's a future starter, or will (or won't) make the 53-man roster.

STOCK UP

OLB Jason Taylor - Why would Roth unsuccessfully try to conceal a groin strain? Because he's got a borderline Hall of Fame player pushing him for his starting spot! Duh. Miss some practice time and you might become the forgotten man. The way Taylor has played the first week of training camp has to make the coaches say: "Matt Roth who?" Taylor's still dangerous. I initially didn't know what to expect from Taylor, who turns 35 on Sept. 1st. Every body was whispering that he'd lost a step, couldn't hold up against the run anymore. Couldn't work with Joey Porter because of their similar skill set, and matching deficiencies. Keep doubting Taylor because I suspect he's using it all as fuel. Right now, outside of left tackle Jake Long, Taylor's the most dominant player on the practice field.

CB Sean Smith - Smith's truly a freak of nature. You can only understand what I mean when you look at this cornerback in a linebacker's body up close and personal. I've never seen anyone that big move that smooth. Don't get me wrong, Smith has plenty to work on. But considering he's got plenty to work with (magnificent size, excellent hips, good hands, decent speed) I'm confident the rookie will start a handful of games for the Dolphins if he stays healthy and can master the playbook. The one concern I have about Smith is his ability to tackle. The knock on him coming out of the draft was that he's not physical, and so far I've seen some hints that make me suspect those reports are accuracy. But we won't know for sure until the exhibition season arrives because the Dolphins don't tackle in practice. First-round pick Vontae Davis isn't far behind Smith. But he's got to learn to tone down his physicality or he'll become a target for the refs.

OG Mark Lewis - Before training camp started I couldn't point this undrafted rookie free agent out in a lineup. Probably still couldn't. But on more than one occasion I've seen this Oregon standout blow a hole open, which is impressive for an afterthought free agent. Doesn't hurt that he's occasionally running with the second-team line. Lewis has plenty to learn, and he must refine his body. But if he keeps this up he might be worthy of one of the team's eight practice squad spots.

STOCK DOWN

OLB Erik Walden - His special teams contributions made me overestimate the caliber of pass rusher I felt he had the potential to become. He started out last week occasionally working with the second-team defense. But these days it's tremendously difficult to find him during team drills. It's like he's invisible. He's barely sniffed the quarterback while Cameron Wake's applying consistent pressure, and Quentin Moses and Tearrius George are starting to warm up.